With producers as unknown as Legendary Traxter and Dani Kartel it is obvious that The Outlawz aren't going for the norm. As the date of Pac's death approaches the 9-year mark, it is time for The Outlawz to step out of the legend's stretched shadow and into their own light. This album finally allows them to do so, leaving behind the conflicts which were 2Pac's life and focusing on themselves. The group has depriciated in size over the years. Of course Kadifi passed not too long after Pac and both Napoleon and Hussain Fatel have left the group. That leaves just three generals of 2Pac's army left, E.D.I Amin, Kastro and Young Noble and they are representing their fallen soldier to the fullest without biting his style.

The album begins with the average, annoyingly generic 'Real Talk'. The main downfall of this album is the sheer amount of filler songs. However the following track really kicks off the album. 'Cant Turn Back' is more like the 'Pac assisted' Outlawz that fans remember so fondly. The opening line truely summerises what the group thinks about their mentor, and hip-hop's most exploited artist, E.D.I spits 'They ask, what I think about 'em copyin 'Pac, the whole game was influenced, not just 50 and Ja'. Actually, The Outlawz release one of the most unique albums this year, the album don't include a single 2Pac verse. Strange perhaps, the only people truely entitled to, are the only people who don't have the now quite eerie 2Pac edition. This gives off such a message, the message which is echoed around this album is that they can stand on their own two.

'Listen To Me' is another high point. The idea of the track is to relate to the young nation who are listening to hip-hop and are constantly being fed that the gangsta life is a life you want to lead. It is obvious that as artists The Outlawz have matured and they are ready to pass this maturity onto the listener. The song aims to motivate the black youth, a section of society who currently have high pregnancy rates, high truency rates and high illiteracy rates amongst other things. The song reaches its conscious vertex with the line 'If its worth having, its worth working for, if its worth loving, its worth hurting for, if its worth dying, its worth living for, Young Noble, Outlaw givin it to ya raw'. The Outlawz have grown up and so have their music.

Overall, this album is decent. It isn't the most stimulating listen but it definately has its moments, as one of the only rap outfits out now, The Outlawz aren't using 2Pac's ever depriciating unreleased catalogue to sell records, something they must be given their dues for. They may still sell because of their connection to Pac but hell, they can't help that, but with the album The Outlawz stand alone, stand strong and stand independant. They deserve respect just for that.

i-Pod Worthy : 'Can't Turn Back', 'Listen To Me' 'Losin My Mind' 'I Dare You'

Skippable : 'Real Talk' 'Better It Get' 'Smilin Faces'

Overall : 3 Out Of 6 Shots; Nothing to write home about, but a solid effort.